An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hematology staff via airborne transmission

[...]the World Health Organization and the scientific community are evaluating whether SARS-CoV-2 also spreads through aerosols in the absence of AGPs, particularly in indoor settings with poor ventilation.3 Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy recipients are unique populations at increased risk for complications from SARS-CoV-2.4 Currently, limited data exist on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and optimal management of COVID-19 in this patient population. Interview Questions, Cases Versus Controls Variable Cases (N = 7), mean ± SD Controls (N = 30), mean ± SD P Value RR [95% CI] Time (minutes) spent in the transplant unit’s corridor/nurse station 201 ± 208 55 ± 133 .018 7.2 [1.22–42.49) Number of entrances to the index patient’s room 1.5 ± 1.5 1.45 ± 1.62 .865 Time (minutes) spent in the index patient’s room 29 ± 38 15 ± 17 .119 Preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 requires rapid identification and isolation of infectious people, especially those with a high viral load because they have potential to become super-spreaders.6 HCT recipients may be at an even higher risk for a complicated course resulting from viral infections in general and COVID-19 infection in particular. Because aerosols are carried by air currents and dispersed by diffusion and air turbulence, aerosols from infected persons may pose an inhalation threat even at considerable distances in enclosed spaces, particularly if there is poor ventilation.8 Providing sufficient and effective ventilation together with airborne infection control is of paramount importance.2 In our COVID-19 outbreak, 2 of the 7 infected HCPs had no direct contact with the index case.